Bangladesh News

The Emergency Power Rule 2007 under the Emergency Power Ordinance 2007 spelled out some guidelines for the media on publication and broadcast of news.
It restricted publication and broadcast of news reports, editorials, post-editorials, articles, features, caricatures, cartoons, talk shows or discussions on provocative statements, activities, protests, public meetings in newspapers or in the electronic media including internet, or in any other mass media.

Under the rule, the government may order any person to provide information or related materials kept with him or her in public interest or on grounds of security and may examine or block the dispatch of any letter, message or material to be sent by post, telex, fax or telephone.

In case of violation of the restrictions, the offenders will face a maximum of five years or a minimum of two years rigorous imprisonment along with fines.

(This item was extrapolated and translated by The Daily Star from the Bangla version of the rule.)